VIEW  OF  IIOLHSTON  IN  ITS  FIRST  CENTURY. 


CEHTUSIT  SEIl2C02?r, 


DELIVERED  IN  HOLLISTON,  MASS. 


SEOEHSEH  %  1826. 


B7  OHAHI.SS  FITCH9 

Ftstor  of  the  Coogregatienal  Church  and  society  of  HelIi8tOD< 


H.  &  W,.  H.  MANN FRINTERS. 


/ 


Hfir-     iiiriiiiiiilf' 


X 

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?^'  / 


VIEW  OF  IIOLLISTON  IN  ITS  FIRST  CENTURY. 


OEHTTrnr  sss^icorr, 


DELIVERED  IN  HOLLISTON,  MASS. 


DEOSMSEIl  %  1826. 


B7  OHARLXIS  FITOH9 

Fastor  of  the  Congregational  Church  and  society  of  HolIistOD. 


H.  &W,.  H.  MANN PRINTERS. 


utannjtmfr  ^4ltk 


UNIVERSITY  OF  MASSACHUSETTS 
AT  AMHERST 


UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 

Special  Collections  &  Rare  Books 


GIFT  OF 


HoLLisTON,  Dec.  28lli,  1826. 
Rev.  and  Dear  <S'/r, 

The  citizens  of  Holliston,  witli  their  numerous  and 
respectable  neij^hbours,  who  had  tlie  pleasure  of  hearlni^ 
the  truly  learned  and  elocjuent  discourse  delivered  by  you 
in  comnienioration  of  the  past  century  of  this  Town,  have 
been  pleased  frequently  to  express  their  admiration  of  the 
same,  and  a  desire  that  it  might  be  published.  We,  there- 
fore, at  a  legal  Town-meeting,  have  been  elected  to  express 
the  publick  sentiment,  and  respectfully  solicit  a  copy  for 
the  press. 

Your  most  obedient  and  humble  servants, 
ICHABOI)   HAWES, 
TIMOTHY  ROCKVVOOD,  Jr. 
JAMES  CUTLER, 

CommiUee. 
Rev.  Charles  Fitch. 


Gentlemen, 

It  gives  me  pleasure  to  learn,  that  the  discourse 
which  was  delivered  in  commemoration  of  the  first  centu- 
ry of  this  town,  has  met  the  approbation  of  those  who 
heard  it.  And  as  it  was  expressly  designed,  as  a  History 
of  the  Town,  for  the  use  and  benefit  of  its  inhabitants,  I 
scarcely  feel  myself  at  liberty  to  withhold  it;  which  under 
other  circumstances,  I  should  be  disposed  to  do.  With 
sincere  wishes  and  prayers  for  your  individual  welfare,  and 
that  of  the  people  whom  you  represent,  I  subscribe  myself, 
Yours  respectfully, 

CHARLES  FITCH. 
Col.  IcHABOD  Halves, 
Capt.  Timothy  Rockwood,  and 
Mr.  James  Cutler, 

Committee. 
Holliston,  Jan.  3d,  1827. 


ADVSRTZSSMSSarT. 


The  first  Century  of  this  town  was  comple- 
ted on  the  3d  of  December,  18S4;  and  it  was 
contemplated  by  the  inhabitants  to  have  com- 
memorated the  day.  Bot  in  consequence  of 
the  ill  health  of  my  predecessor,  tlie  Bev.  Jo- 
sephus  Wheaton,  who  was  unable  to  prepare  a 
discourse  for  the  occasion,  the  subject  was  de- 
layed until  December,  18S6. 


SERMOH. 


ZECHARIAH  I,  5. 

Your  fathers^  where  are  they?  and  the  2^rophetSy 
do  they  live  forever? 

The  object  which  assembles  us,  my  hearers,  is 
one  of  no  ordinary  interest.  It  is  to  commemo- 
rate, for  the  first  time,  the  day  which  gave  a  dis- 
tinct and  corporate  existence  to  that  portion  of  the 
community,  in  which,  by  the  good  providence  of 
God,  our  lot  is  cast.  It  is  to  go  back  a  century  in- 
to antiquity,  and  review  the  records  of  the  years 
which  have  intervened ; — to  converse  ^^ith  genera- 
tions that  have  gone  before  us; — to  survey  the  do- 
ings of  our  respected  ancestors,  and  the  scenes  in 
which  they  were  actors; — and  thus  to  look  up  and 
rehearse  the  most  prominent  and  interesting  par- 
ticulars in  the  existence  of  our  town.  And  in  this 
developement  of  our  object,  how  forcibly  are  we 
reminded  of  the  pleasing,  and  yet  mournful  fact, 


6r 

that  the  place,  ive  now  occupy,  was  once  the  abode 
of  other  people;  the  scene  of  their  iaboars,  enjoy- 
ments, sifTerin  :s,  and  trials ;  and  their  last  and 
only  earthly  possession — the  '^possession  of  a  bu- 
rying place  ! " — And  how  natvu*ally  does  the  inqiury 
of  the  prophet  suggest  itself!  and  with  what  pe- 
culiar solemnity  and  impressiveness  does  i^  strike 
the  mind! — Your  fathers — where  are  they?  and 
the  prophets — do  they  live  forever?  — 

In  prosecuting  the  object  of  this  discourse,  I 
propose,  for  the  sake  of  order  and  perspicuity,  to 
comprise  the  history  of  this  town  in  three  parts  ,• — 
the  first  part  to  contain  its  civil  history ;  the  sec- 
ond its  ecclesiastical  history  ;  and  the  third  a  sta- 
tistical view  of  the  town,  with  the  addition  of  oiher 
important  miscellaneous  matter. 

The  first  part,  we  have  devoted  to  the  civil  his- 
tory of  the  town. 

Holliston  was  originally  a  part  of  Sherburne ; 
which  at  that  time  embraced  a  large  extent  of  ter- 
ritory, from  which  a  considerable  portion  of  sever- 
al towns  has  since  been  taken.  The  dismember- 
ment of  this  part  of  Sherburne,  and  its  subsequent 
erection  into  a  town,  originated  in  a  disagreement 
upon  the  subject  of  a  site  for  a  Meeting-house. 
The  people,  who  resided  in  this  extremity  of  the 
town,  were  anxious  for  the  removal  of  a  serious  in- 
convenience, under  which  they  had  long  laboured, 
occasioned  by  their  distance  from  the  place  of  wor- 
ship ;  and  insisted  upon  a  position  more  contigu- 
ous to  themselves  for  the  erection  of  the  contem- 
plated new  House.     While  the  larger  proportion 


of  the  inhabitants  were  resolved  upon  its  loratiou 
upon  the  spot,  vvhi  h  had  loni^  been  occupied  for 
this  sa^  red  purpose.  Under  these  circumstances, 
the  minor  party  respectfully  petitioned  for  the  priv- 
ileire  of  disimion;  which  beins^  granted,  the  parlies, 
peaceably,  and  on  friendly  terms,  separated.  The 
petition  for  dismemberment  was  si^;ned  by  thirteen 
individuals,*  and  presented  to  the  inhabitants  of 
Sherburne,  in  town-meeting,  Nov.  18th,  1723. — 
The  colonial  government  was  next  petitioned  ;  and 
on  the  3d  of  Dec.  1724  the  Act  of  Incorporation 
foraially  passed  both  branches  of  the  General 
Court;  giving  the  town  the  name  of  Holliston,  in 
token  of  respect  for  Thomas  Hollis  of  London,  a 
patron  of  the  University  in  Cambridge;  who,  in 
reliu'n,  presented  the  congregation  v^ith  an  elegant 
folio  Bible  for  the  Desk. — The  form  of  Holliston 
has  al  vays  been  extremely  irregular.  From  plans 
taken  in  the  year  of  its  organization  a  map  has 
been  drawn,  and  the  number  of  acres,  which  the 
township  comprises,  ascertained  to  be  15,086. — 
The  first  town-meeting  was  held,  agreeably  to  the 
provisions  of  the  act  of  incorporation,  at  the  house§ 
of  Ti.noihy  Leland  on  rhe  21st  of  the  same  month 
in   vvhich  the  act  was  passed.     At  this  meeting, 

=*^  The  names  of  those  who  pet'tioned  were  as  follows; 
Jonathan  Wl)it»iey,  Timothy  Leland,  Aaron  A.'orse,  Moses 
A  anis.  Jcseph  Johnson,  Ebenezer  Pratt,  Gershora  Eames, 
J  'm  Goulding,  Joshua  Underwood,  Thomas  Jones,  Isaac 
Adams,  John  TvvichelJ,  and  John  Larnite. 

§  This  hoHse  was  situated  on  the  place  now  occupied  by 
Mr.  Amory  Leland. 


8 

0re  Select-men,!  with  the  other  appropriate  offi- 
cers, were  elected;  which  gave  the  lirst  impulse  to 
the  operations  of  this  infant  member  of  the  body 
politick. 

It  was  certainly  an  important  object,  with  this 
Bew  established  commimity,  to  promote  its  growth 
in  population  and  wealth  by  holding  out  every 
possible  encouragement  to  emigrants.  And  yet, 
desirable  as  the  inhabitants,  doubtless,  felt  it  to 
be,  we  find  them  early  adopting  and  prosecuting 
measures  to  guard  against  the  introduction  of  a 
mixed  and  corrupt  population;— at  one  time,  rais- 
ing monies  to  encourage  and  aid  the  removal  of 
certain  French  families  to  Canada;  and  at  others, 
expelling  immoral  and  licentious  individuals  and 
families,  that  had  crept  into  their  territory,  and 
were  polluting  their  soil,  by  the  rigour  of  law. 
We  notice  this  as  forming  a  peculiar  and  interest- 
ing feature  in  the  character  and  acts  of  the  primi- 
tive inhabitants  of  this  place;  and  as  constituting 
an  important  basis  for  the  subsequent  character 
and  prosperity  of  the  town. 

The  attention  and  efforts  of  our  ancestors  were 
early  directed  towards  the  education  of  their  chil- 
dren. In  August  1731,  the  town  voted  the  appro- 
priation of  a  considerable  sum  to  defray  the  ex- 
pense of  a  reading  and  writing  school.  This  was 
its  first  public  act  upon  the  subject  of  education  ; 
previous  to  which,  the  young  probably  received  in- 
struction at  private  expense.     After  this  period, 

f  The  names  of  the  Selectmen  were  John  GoulJing, 
William  Sheffield,  Ebenezer  Hill,  Jouathan  Whitney,  and 
Thomas  Marshall. 


8 

the  sum  annually  appropriated  for  the  support  of 
schools  was  increased  as  necessity  requireu,  until 
it  has  <i;rovvn  to  the  amount  of  $G00  per  annum. 
Nos'iitable  places  were  provided,  however,  for  the 
accommodation  of  schools  previous  to  the  year 
1738;  when  three  school-houses  were  erected  at 
the  expense  of  the  town.  These  have  subsequent- 
ly been  multiplied,  till  they  amoimt  to  more  than 
double  that  number.  The  vah:e  and  importance  of 
the  system  of  education,  so  early  introduced,  are 
now  apparent  in  the  general  diffusion  of  learning ; 
the  prevalence  of  virtuous  habits  ;  and  the  increas- 
ing attention  paid  to  the  higher  branches  of  educa- 
tion. 

The  original  inhabitants  of  this  town  were  not 
wanting  a  proper  measure  of  the  spirit  of  civil  lib- 
erty. And  although,  with  their  fathers  and  nei<  h- 
bours,  they  were  wont  to  dwell  qui^ly  under  their 
colonial  subjection  ;  yet  when  the  grievances,  im- 
posed by  the  mother  country,  had  become  too  ma- 
ny, and  too  mighty  to  be  tamely  endured,  they  were 
prepared  to  second  every  worthy  meas'^re  for  the 
resistance  of  oppression,  and  to  venture  their  prop- 
erty, and  their  lives  in  a  common  and  united  strug- 
gle for  freedom.  Accordingly,  as  though  actuated 
by  a  presentiment  of  the  approaching  revolutionary 
conflict,  they  resolved  upon  a  measare  for  prepara- 
tion for  the  worst  that  mi^ht  befall  them,  and  began 
in  1731  to  collect  military  stores,  which  they  after- 
wards continued  to  augment,  as  the  aspect  and 
feeling  of  the  times  seemed  to  render  necessary.— 

The  fic&t  pubiick  and  fonual  step  taken  by  them  to- 

2 


10 

wards  the  independence,  which  they  afterwarde 
aided  in  achieving,  was  in  the  form  of  a  resolvition 
adopted  in  1768,  in  accordance  with  proposals  from 
the  people  of  Boston^  "that  this  to \Yn  will  take 
all  prudent  and  legal  measures  to  encourage  the 
produce  and  manufactures  of  this  province,  and  to 
lessen  the  use  of  superfiuilies  imported  from 
abroad."  I  give  the  resolution  in  the  very  lan- 
guage in  which  it  stands  recorded.  And  as  a 
pleasing  evidence  of  their  conscientious  and  in- 
flexible adherence  to  it,  and  steadfast  purpose  to 
carry  it  into  execution ;  we  find  them  seriously  vot- 
ing, upon  the  very  back  of  it,  to  use  no  gloves  at 
funerals,  but  such  as  were  made  in  the  province  ; 
and  to  procure  no  new  garments  for  those  occa- 
sions, but  such  as  were  "absolutely  necessary." — 
The  same  year  saw  this  town  represented  by  a  del- 
egation of  its  own  appointment  in  a  Convention^ 
made  up  of  delegates  from  neighbouring  towns,  and 
held  in  Boston  for  the  purpose  of  devising  and  rec- 
ommending such  measures  as  the  existing  state  of 
things  demanded. — In  1770,  it  was  resolved,  in 
town-meeting,  to  purchase  no  European  goods  of 
certain  importers^  whose  names  were  posted  for 
public  information. — In  1773,  the  town  passed  a 
formal  resolution  in  favour  of  a  commimication, 
addressed  to  its  inhabitants,  setting  forth  the  rights 
of  the  colonies,  and  the  infringement  of  them  by 
the  British  nation.  The  year  following,  it  was 
represented  in  a  "  County  Congress,"  held  at 
Concord.  And  in  the  same  year,  it  formally  pro- 
hibited the  sale,  or  consumption  of  East  India 


II 

Ten».~~On  the  0th  of  Jan.  1775,  tho  town  voted. 
*^  to  adhere  to  the  advice  and  association  of  t lie 
Continental  Conirress;"  and  in  March  following^ 
previously  to  \he  annual  election  of  town  officers, 
it  was  thus  resolved  ;   "that  no  man  shall  serve  ia 
any  town  office  or  place  whatsoever  the  ensuing 
year,   who  shall  refuse  or  neglect  to  subscrihe  his 
consent  to,  and   compliance  with  the  advice  and 
association  of  the  last  Continental  Congress;  and 
that  such  individual  shall  be  treated  with  neglect.^ 
*~The  Constitution,   which  had  been  framed  for 
this  State,  was,  in  1780,  subjected  to  the  inspect 
tion  of  the  several  towns  for  their  approval ;   and, 
after  much  consideration,   was  approved  by  thiis 
town,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  articles  to  which 
amendments  were  proposed.     On  the  4ith  of  Sept 
•f  this  year,  the  town  met  to  elect  a  Governour  and 
other  officers  of  the  State  government  for  the  first 
time;  when  it  was  found,  that  39  votes  had  been 
given  in  for  John  Hancock,  and  only  2  for  the  op- 
posing candidate,  James  Bowdoin; — so  great  was 
the  unanimity  which  at  that  period  prevailed  upon 
political  subjects. — I  have  been  more  particular,  in 
relating  the  doings  of  our  forefathers  in  matters 
connected  with  the  early  and  most  interesting  part 
of  our  national  history,  than  I  should  have  been, 
did  I  not  feel  it  due  to  their  memory  to  exhibit  the 
p-ompt,  decisive,  energetick,  and  manly  spirit,  with 
which  they  seconded  every  measure  devised  for  re- 
sisting the  oppressions  of  the  mother  country;  and 
with  which  they  stood  forth  for  the  maintenance  of 
civil  and  reUgious  liberty  in  those  ^Himes,  which 


18 

tried  men's  souls.''  During  the  whole  of  that  glo- 
rioas  struggle,  which  resulted  in  the  establishment 
of  our  independence,  they  bore  a  decided  and  hon- 
orable part.  They  sacrificed  their  property  and 
hazarded  their  lives  in  the  cause  of  liberty  ;  and 
their  reward  is  in  the  grateful  remembrance  of  their 
posterity.  May  their  posterity  never  forfeit,  by 
their  ingrratitude  and  degeneracy,  the  inestimable 
blessings  they  purchased  for  them  at  the  price  of 
blood. 

The  second  part  ofthis  discourse,  we  proposed 
to  devote  to  the  ecclesiastical  history  of  the  town. 

It  was  an  object  of  first  importance,  in  the  esti- 
mation of  our  worthy  progenitors,  to  make  provision 
for  the  worship  of  God,  and  for  the  regular  dispen- 
sation of  the  ordinances  of  the  gospel.  And  accor- 
dingly, we  find  they  had  no  sooner  assumed  the 
form  and  functions  of  a  corporate  body,  than  they 
net  themselves,  without  delay,  to  "find  out  a  place 
for  the  Lord,  an  habitation  for  the  mighty  God  of 
Jacob."  Their  second  town  meeting  was  called 
for  this  express  purpose  5  and  was  held  on  the  4th 
of  January,  1725, — within  about  a  month  from  the 
time  of  the  first  meeting; — when  they  resolved  upon 
the  erection  of  a  House  of  Worship.  To  accom- 
plish this  object,  they  raised  by  tax  one  hundred 
pounds  Old  Tenour,  as  it  was  called,  being  about 
$44,45  Federal  money  ;  allowing  to  each  individ- 
ual assessed  the  privilege  of  bestowing  labour  to 
half  the  amount  ot  his  tax.  The  dimensions  of  the 
contemplated  house  were  fixed  at  about  forty  feet 
In  length  by  thirty-two  feet  in  breadth,  with  g^t^ 


13 

of  twenty  feet  in  hei<rht.  It  ^.vas  located  upon  land, 
containing  about  three  acres  and  a  half,  ^iven  to 
this  town  by  Col.  William  Brown,  of  Salem,  Mas- 
sachusetts— to  be  perpetually  occupied  as  a  site  for 
a  Meeting-house  and  B  iryini'-ground.  In  1728, 
the  people  saw  the  House  of  the  Lord  completed, 
and  commenced  occupymg  it  for  his  worship;  after 
it  had  cost  them  more  than  double  the  s vim  origi- 
nally levied.  They  were  not,  however,  previo'  s  to 
this  event,  destitute  of  preaching.  This  they  had 
formally  adopted  measures  for  procuring  daring  the 
first  year  of  their  existence  as  a  town;  and  on  the 
26th  of  June  1727,  a  meeting  was  held  for  the  elec- 
tion and  call  of  a  minister.  The  second  arii  le  in 
the  warrant  for  that  meeting;  contains  something  so 
peculiarly  characteristick  of  the  people,  that  I  can- 
not consent  to  its  omission.  It  reads  thus ;  ^Ho 
choose  an  orthodox^  learned,  and  pious  person  to 
dispense  the  word  of  God  as  a  minister  of  the  ;  os- 
pel  in  the  said  town."  I  dor.bt  whether,  if  the 
children  were  not  half  ashamed  of  the  stern  princi^ 
pies,  and  honest  deeds  of  their  fathers,  they  wo?ild 
not  think  their  example  upon  this  subject  worthy  of 
imitation.  At  any  ra? e,  the  fathers  thought, — and 
so  might  their  children  think, — that  in  such  plain 
and  honest  methods  of  proceed  ure  they  would  likely 
save  themselves  much  difficulty,  and  jrreat  hazard 
in  their  religious  concerns.  The  resu  It  of  the  meet- 
ing just  named  was  an  invitation  to  the  Rev.  James 
Stone  to  undertake  the  work  of  the  ministry  in  this 
town.  For  some  unknown  reason,  however,  he  was 
not  ordained  until  the  20th  of  November  of  the  fol^ 


m 

lowin<T  year,  1 728.  The  same  day  which  witnesse<J 
the  consecration  of  Mr.  Stone  to  the  service  of  God 
-at  the  altar,  witnessed  also  the  organization  of  a 
Church  consistin^^  of  eight  memhers,  of  whom  the 
pastor  elect  was  one.  Previous  to  the  solemn  and 
interesting  occasion,  which  was  to  constitute  a 
church,  and  give  it  a  shepherd,  a  day  of  fastin'^  and 
prayer  was  ohserved,  a  practice  which  is  still  fol- 
lowed, for  the  purpose  of  devoutly  seeking  the  di- 
Tine  blessing  to  accompany  those  transactions.* 

Mr.  Stone  was  born  in  Newton,  Mass.  in  1703. 
His  father  was  one  of  foar  brothers,  who  emigrated 
to  this  country  from  England.     Of  his  early  life  we 
know  nothing;   except  that  he  was  graduated  at 
Harvard   University  in   1724;  being  at  that  time, 
twenty-one   years  of  age.     And  the  only  informa- 
tion,  I  have  been  enabled  to  obtain,  of  his  life  and 
character  as  the  minister  of  this  people,  is  contain- 
ed in  the  preface  to  one  of  his  Sermons,  which  wa» 
published  after  his  decease,  and  said  to  be  the  last 
he  ever  composed.     It  was  published,  as  a  valuable 
relic k  of  its  author,  under  the  direction  of  the  Rev. 
Oliver  Peabody  of  Natick,   and  the  Rev.  Samuel 
Porter  of  Sherburne, — who,  in  their  preface  to  it, 
thus  speak  of  Mr.  Stone.    '^The  great  esteem  which 
his  own  people,  as  well  as  those  in  the  neighbour- 
ing towns,  had  of  the  author  for  his  great  sweetness 

*  Mr  Stone's  salary  was  fixed  at  75/.  or  %33^33;  whicb 
was  to  be  raised  to  80/.  when  the  town  had  received  an  in- 
crease of  ten  families;  and  to  85Z.  when  there  should  be 
an  addition  often  more.  He  was  also  to  receive  a  seliie- 
ment  of  100/.  or  a  little  more  than  $44. — His  salary  was 
finally  raised  in  1742  to  130/.  or  about  |^67.  ^ 


16 

»f  temper,  his  ^ood  humour,  his  instructive  conver- 
sation, his  cxeniphiry  piety,  his  <:reat  (lili:;encc  and 
faithfulness  in  the  work  of  the  nanistry,  his  prudence 
in  all  his  conduct,  his  uncommon  and  excelling  gift 
in  prayer,  and  his  or//f o^/o.r,  judiiioi's,  and  fervent 
preachin??, — all  \vhich,  and  many  more  desirable 
qualifications  were  well  known  to  shine  in  him, — 
tias  caused  many  in  Holliston,  and  some  in  other 
towns,  to  urge  the  publication  of  this  sernion."* 
From  the  same  sorrce,  we  also  learn,  that  when 
Ihis  sermon  was  written,  "it  was  an  uncommonly 
sickly  time  among  his  people ;  and  that  he  w  as  al- 
most constantly,  night  and  day,  visiting  and  praying 
with  the  sick,  sometimes  for  whole  nights  together; 
^'beingj  as  he  said,  willing  to  spend  and  be  spent 
m  the  service  of  the  souls  oj  his  people. ^^  Mr, 
Stone  departed  this  life  July  19th  1742,  in  the  39th 
year  of  his  age,  and  in  the  14<th  of  his  ministry. 
Three  children  survived  him. 

The  first  and  only  candidate,  whom  the  people 
employed  after  the  decease  of  Mr.  Stone,  w  as  the 
Rev.  Joshua  Prentiss,  w  ho  w  as  ordained,  and  in- 
stalled their  pastor  on  the  18th  of  May  1743.t  Mr. 
Prentiss  was  born  in  Cambridge  Mass.  in  1718. 

*  The  text  of  that  Sermon  is  contained  in  John  17.  4. 
I  have  alonfied  thee  on  the  eaith;  1  have  finished  the  work 
which  thou  gavest  me  to  do. 

t  Mr.  Prentiss'  salary  w^as  140r  annually,  Old  Tenour; 
or  about  <6:?,43; — with  a  settlement  of  200/  or  about  -89. 
After  the  first  two  years  of  settlement,  his  salary  was  to  be 
increased, — by  an  addition  of  100/.  per  year, — until  it 
should  amount  to  200/  annually.  His  wood  was  also  fur- 
nished bini)  as  was  that  of  his  predecessor- 


16 

He  was  the  oldest  son  of  an  intelligent  and  piou^ 
father.  From  a  letter  addressed  to  hhn  by  his  fa^ 
ther,  a  few  days  previous  to  his  ordination,  contain- 
ing most  ajffectionate  and  faithful  advice,  we  learni 
that  when  seven  years  of  age  he  was  visited  with  a 
violent  fever,  which  reduced  him  so  low  as  to  leave 
little  hope  of  his  recovery.  Under  the  anxiety  and 
distress  produced  by  the  forbidding  prospect  of 
losing  a  child  upon  whom  he  doted,  his  father 
writes ;  ^^retiring  from  the  bed  to  another  chamber, 
I  spread  my  case  before  the  great  God,  and  prayed 
earnestly  for  the  life  of  the  child, — yet  with  sub^ 
mission, — that  if  it  might  be  consistent  with  his  holy 
will  to  spare  his  life,  and  to  bring  him  back  from  the 
grave's  mouth,  and  restore  him  to  health,  I  would 
then  according  as  he  should  enable  me,  give  him 
up,  and  devote  him  to  his  service ;  and  by  his  graces 
I  have  been  enabled,  in  some  measure,  to  perform 
those  vows  which  my  lips  uttered,  and  mouth  spake 
when  I  was  in  trouble."  In  addition  to  his  bap- 
tismal dedication  to  God  in  infancy ;  his  father  say% 
"you  have  been,  by  a  more  particular  and  renewed 
promise  of  your  father,  given  and  devoted  to  God's 
service."  And  there  is  no  inconsiderable  ground 
for  believing,  that  the  prayers,  and  vows,  and  pious 
efforts  of  the  father,  in  regard  to  this  son,  were  not 
unavailing.  In  early  life,  he  professed  faith  in 
Christ,  and  publickly  assumed  the  obli<xations  of  his 
parents  in  his  baptism,  and  devoted  himself  to  the 
service  of  God.  He  was  graduated  at  Harvard 
University  in  1738;  being  at  that  time  only  twenty 
jmsLTS  of  age.     His  religious  sentiments  were  Calvi* 


17 

uistick;  and  his  prnaching  was  plain,  instriictiv^j 
and  evangelical.     For  about  i\ye  years  before  his 
death,  his  health  was  so  greatly  impaired  as  to  ren- 
der him  unable  to  preach  only  occasionally.     And 
perhaps  it  was  owing  wholly  to  this  circumstance, 
that  the  congregation  was    iiuUiced  to  procure,  in 
1784<5  a  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  connection  sub- 
sisting between  him  and  them.     But  the  fact,  w  hich 
seems  the  most  unpleasant  upon  this  subject,  is, 
that  having  fallen  behind  in  the  payment  of  his  sal- 
ary, the  people  should  refuse  his  pecuniary  claims, 
and  compel  him  to  the   ungrateful  task  of  a  civil 
prosecution.     The  demand  was,  however,  ultimate- 
ly discharged  without  a  legal  process  5   greatly  to 
the  credit  of  the  people,  and  the  satisfaction  of  the 
pastor.     From  the  time  of  this  settlement  to  his 
death,  peace  and  good  feelin.<j  prevailed ;   as  is  evi- 
dent from  the  fact,  that  after  his  dismission  the  town 
exempted  his  estate  from  taxation,  and  appropriated, 
for  the  use  of  his  family,  a  seat  in  the  Meeting- 
house.    Mr.    Prentiss  finished  his  earthly  course 
April  24th  1788,  having  attained  the  age  of  man — 
his  threescore  years  and  ten ;   forty-t^vo  of  \\  Lich 
he  employed  in  the  ministry*   among  this  people. 
He  had  been  thrice   married.     His  first  wife  was 
one  among  the  many,  who  died  during  the  preva- 
lence of  the  dreadful  malady,  which  we  shall  notice 
hereafter.     His  third,  he  left  a  vvidow\     He  had 
Hine  children ;  one  of  whom  w  as  for  many  years  the 

*  The  last  text  from  which  Mr.  Prentiss  preached  is 
contained  in  Psalm  37,  37.  Mark  the  periect  man,  «nd 
behold  the  tipright;  for  the  oud  ol  that  man  is  peace. 

a 


18 

lulmster  oi'Meclfield  Mass.  and  was  distinguished  io 
his  profession;  and  three  of  whom  are  no  a   living. 

It  was  during  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Prendss,  and 
in  the  year  17  IS,  that  a  number  of  famihes,  Kving 
remote  from  the  place  of  worship,  and  contiguoag 
to  Medway,  were,  for  the  sake  of  better  accommo- 
dation, set  off  from  the  congregation  of  Holliston 
by  an  act  of  the  General  Court,  and  comprised  as  a 
component  part  of  the  West  Parish  in  Medway,  at 
its  original  incorporation.  The  number  of  families 
belonging  to  the  religioris  society  of  this  town  was 
at  that  time  stated  to  be  about  ninety. 

After  the  dismission  of  Mr.  Prentiss,  this  people 
heard  thirteen  successive  candidates;  and  were 
destitute  of  preaching  one  hiuidred  and  live  sabbaths. 
Put  notwithstanding  the  evils  which  miiiht  be  sup- 
posed tp  result  from  so  long  a  period  of  vacancy, 
and  from  the  unusual  number  of  candidates  heard^ 
there  w  as  a  perfect  unanimity  in  the  call  given  No- 
vember 13th  1778,  to  the  Ilev.  Timothy  Dickinson. 
Having  accepted  the  invitation,  he  was  solemnly  set 
apart  to  the  work  of  the  ministry*  in  this  place  on 
the  18th  of  February  1789.  Mr.  Dickinson  was 
born  of  respectable  and  pious  parents,  at  Amherst 
in  this  State,  the  25th  of  June  1761.  The  traits  of 
character  which,  more  than  any  other,  marked  the 
opening  period  of  his  existence  were  the  mildness 
and  amiableness  of  his  natural  disposition.  He  wa« 
also  noted  in  early  childhood  for  a  great  fondness 
for  literary  pursuits.     So  that,  "although  his  con- 

*  Mr.  Dickinson's  Salary  was  fixed  at  80^  Sterlin^pei* 
annum;  with  a  settlement  of  200/. 


atitiition  was  naturally  slender,  and  his  liralth  feeble 
and  intemipted,"  a  very  considerabie  poriiun  of  the 
hoars,  whicli  were  not  eiiiployed  in  manual  labour;^ 
were  devoted  to  study,     "lie  livc^d  wiUi  his  parents^ 
and  laboured  upon  a  farm  until  sixteen  years  of 
age;"   when,   beholding  his  country  engaged  in  a 
common  and   dubious  struggle  for  independence^ 
the  deep  interest  excited  in  his  bosom  for  her  wel- 
fare roused  his  youthful  ardour,  and  would  not  suf- 
fer hijo  to  be  dissuaded  from  espousing  her  cause^ 
and  cnlisiin^r,  ris  a  private  soldier,  in  the  militia.  In 
this  capacity  he  continued  to  serve  in  the  army  about 
fifteen  momhs.     Upon  leaving  this  post  of  suffering 
and  dan::;er,  his  health  having  been  enfeebled  by  the 
€xpos!ires  and  hardships  to  whi -h  he  was  unaccus^ 
tomed,  he  commenced  fi.ting  for  College  under  the 
fuitionof  the  Rev.  Dr.  Dwight,   late  President  of 
Yale  College,  who  was  then  engaged  in  the  instruc- 
tion of  a  private  school  at  Northampton.     "It  ig 
believed,  on  good   authority,   that  Mr.  Dickinson 
was  principally  induced  to  seek  a  liberal  education 
in  consequence  of  his  w  itnessing  so  much  depravity 
and  wickedness  in  the  army.     This  depravity  and 
licentiousness  which  he  found  to  be  more  or  less 
acted  out  by  mankind  generally,  he  felt  determined 
to  combat ;   and  that  he  might  do  it  the  more  effect- 
ually, he  sought  the  aid  of  a  publick  education.'^ 
Having  completed  the  preparatory  course  of  study^ 
he  wa§  admitted  at  the  age  of  about  eighteen,  a 
member  of  Dartmouth   College.     During  the  first 
year  of  his  collegiate  life,  the  Institution  and  vicin- 
ity were  together  visited  with  a  "special  and  r^ 


20 

markable  revival  of  religion,"  in  which  he  became 
a  hopef^^l  subject  of  reneving  grace;  and  subse- 
quently made  a  pubiick  profession  of  the  religion  of 
the  gospel.  ^* While  at  Collet  e,  Mr.  Dickinson  was 
diligent  and  persevering  in  the  prosecution  of  his 
studies ;  appeared  to  advantage  at  recitations  and 
all  the  literary  exhibitions  of  his  class  ;  and  acquir- 
ed the  reputation  of  a  correct,  classical  scholar." 
He  was  graduated  in  1785 ;  and  was  immediately  af- 
ter appointed  Preceptor  of  Moore's  Charity  School^ 
which  is  connected  with  the  College.  In  the  in- 
struction of  this  school,  he  continued  one  year ; 
when,  for  the  more  advantageous  prosecution  of  his 
theological  studies,  he  put  himself  under  the  private 
instruction  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Tappan,  then  minister 
of  Newbury  Mass. — and  afterwards  Professor  of 
Divinity  in  Harvard  University.  Previous  to  his 
settlement  in  this  place,  he  preached  at  Exeter  and 
Hopkinton  in  New-Hampshire,  and  in  several  va- 
cant parishes  in  the  northern  part  of  this  State. — 
On  the  20th  of  November  succeeding  his  ordina- 
tion, he  was  married  to  the  eldest  daughter  of  his 
venerable  predecessor,  with  whom  he  lived  till  his 
death.  He  had  seven  children ;  five  of  whom  are 
now  living. 

The  christian  and  ministerial  character  of  Mr. 
Dickinson  I  shall  give  in  the  language  of  his*  Bi- 
ographer, and  of  Dr.  Emmons  in  his  Funeral  Ser- 
jjjon. — "As  a  preacher,''  says  the  former,  "he  was 

*  For  the  history  of  Mr.  Dickinson's  life,  I  acknowledge 
myself  principally  indebted  to  a  biographical  notice  of  him 
in  the  Number  of  the  Panoplist  for  Jnne  1814.  __ 


21 

plain,  Aiitlif-i],  and  aftectionate.  And  as  he  firmly 
believed  in  those  doctrines,  which  are  nsnally  <le- 
noininated  the  doctrines  ofgrace^  he  felt  it  his  duty 
often,  plainly,  and  affectionately  to  state  and  illus- 
trate them.  The  native  and  total  depravity  of  sin- 
ners; the  necessity  of  rei^enera^ion  by  the  sperial 
operations  of  the  Holy  Spirit;  the  doctrine  of  per- 
sonal election ;  the  necessity  of  disinterested  and 
holy  affections  towards  God  and  men,  in  order  to 
become  interested  in  the  atonement  of  the  Savio-r; 
the  Deity  of  Christ,  and  the  doctrine  of  a  Trinity 
of  persons  in  the  Godhead,  together  with  those  doc- 
trines, which  naturally  grow  out  of  the  preoedinjx, 
are  sentiments  which  he  firmly  believed,  and  v  hi-  h 
he  considered  as  of  the  greatest  importance.  No 
considerations  of  popularity  or  self-interest  coild 
deter  him  from  a  plain  and  frequent  exhibition  of 
those  truths  which  are  so  offensive  to  the  carnal 
mind."  "He  was  very  apparently,"  is  the  lan- 
guage of  Dr.  Emmons,  "a  man  of  God,  who  exhi- 
bited the  reality  and  beauty  of  religion  in  his  private 
conversation,  as  w  ell  as  m  his  more  publick  and  of- 
ficial conduct.  He  gave  convincing  evidence,  that 
he  loved  those  doctrines  which  he  taught  to  others, 
and  taught  them  in  love  to  their  souls.  The  whole 
tenour  of  his  preaching  plainly  indicated,  that  he 
sought  to  please  God,  rather  than  men ;  for  he  did 
not  shun  to  exhibit  the  most  essential,  the  most  hu- 
miliating, and  the  most  heart-searching  truths,  in 
terms  too  plain  for  any  to  misunderstand.  He  had 
a  clear,  strong,  and  pleasant  voice,  which  enabled 
bim  to  speak  with  peculiar  propriety  and  energy ; 


and  as  he  aim6d  to  draw  the  attention  of  his  hear^ 
ers  to  his  subjectj  rather  than  to  hiaiself,  so  he  sel^ 
dom  failed  of  deeply  impressing  their  hearts  and 
consciences.  He  loved  to  converse  upon  religious 
subjects^  and  greatly  excelled  in  private  discourses 
with  his  people.  He  took  heed  to  his  ministry,  and 
left  no  proper  methods  unemployed  to  promote  the 
Spiritual  benefit  of  his  people.  He  was  among  the 
most  zealous  ministers  and  christians  to  spread  the 
gospel,  and  to  extend  the  kingdom  of  Christ  through 
the  world."* 

Mr.  Dickinson's  ministry  was  attended  with  some 
peculiar  and  great  trials.  At  one  period  of  it,  there 
was  much  uneasiness,  animosity,  and  disturbance, 
which  continued,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  through 
several  years ;  so  that  the  parish  twice  refused  to 
grant  his  salary.  But  in  each  of  these  instances  the 
people  were  wise  enough  to  discover  their  mistake^ 
and  rescind  their  votes.  The  origin  and  occasion 
of  the  difficulties  which  existed  do  not  appear  from 
any  record  either  of  the  town,  or  the  Church ;  but 
are  commonly  understood  to  be  found  in  the  offen* 
siveness  of  the  doctrines  upon  which  he  insisted. 
They,  however,  resulted  in  the  calling  of  a  Council 
by  the  Church,  June  4th,  1804;  which  advised  to 
the  dissolution  of  the  pastoral  connection  subsisting 
between  him  and  the  people  of  his  charge,  in  the 
August  following,  should  not  an  amicable  adjust- 

*  Mr.  Dickinson  was  one  of  the  most  zealous  founders  of 
the  Massachusetts  Missionary  Society;  was  repeatedly  elec- 
ted a  member  of  its  Board  of  Trustees;  and  in  1811  delir^ 
cred  its  Anniversary  Sermon,  which  was  published.  ^ 


» 

meni  of  difficulties  previously  take  place.**  IIappi«» 
ly  those  diiiiculties  were  so  l*ar  settled,  that,  on  the 
25th  of  the  same  month  in  w  hich  the  Council  sat^ 
the  parish  passed  a  resolution  in  favour  of  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  connection.  For  ahout  nine  years 
subsequently,  Mr.  Dickinson  continued,  in  peace 
and  quietness, — for  aught  that  appears, — to  exer- 
cise the  office  of  a  gospel  minister  in  this  place. 
And  on  the  6th  of  July  1813,  after  a  lingering  and 
painful  sickness,  he  calmly  and  peacefully  expired ; 
having  numbered  fifty-two  years  of  age,  and  been 
the  minister  of  this  people  twenty-four  years  and  a 
few  months. 

After  the  decease  of  Mr.  Dickinson,  the  congre- 
gation were  destitute  of  a  regular  ministry  only 
about  a  year  and  a  half;  during  the  most  of  which 
lime  they  were  supplied    by  candidates.      Their 


*The  question  submitted  to  the  Council  was  srmpljp, 
"In  existing  circumstances,  is  it  duty,  tliat  my  pastoral  re- 
lation to  this  Church  should  be  continued?" — It  is  perhaps 
due  to  the  character  of  Mr.  Dickinson,  that  the  following 
paragraph,  extracted  from  its  declared  result,  should  be  here 
inserted.  "The  Council  are  deeply  affected  with  the  cat- 
lamatous  situation  of  this  Church,  and  the  divisions  which 
subsist  in  this  town.  They  tenderly  reflect  on  the  try- 
ing situation  in  w^hich  the  Pastor,  a  brother  honoured  itu 
tlic  Churches^  and  afedionately  respected  by  themselves,  i§ 
placed.  The  merits  o^  the  Controversy  have  not  been  submit* 
ted  to  this  Council.  They,  therefore,  will  not  undertake  to 
approve  or  condemn;  but  recommend  it,  with  great  splicitude 
for  the  present  comfort,  and  his^hest  spiritual  interests  of 
the  Pastor,  the  Church,  and  the  People,  that  they  respect^ 
wthf  cultivate  that  unoffending  and  conciliating  spirit;  that 
attachment  to  truth  and  virtue;  and  that  hjve  to  one  another, 
which  reason  so  poiverfully  dictates;  aod  the  gospel^  under  st» 
many  motwss,  enjoins.^* 


24 

fourth  minister  was  the  Rev.  Josephiis  Wheatoii ; 
who,  having  received  an  unanimous  invitation  to 
take  the  pastoral  charge  of  this  Church  and  People, 
which  he  accepted,  was  ordained  and  installed  on 
the  6th  of  December  1815.* 

Mr.  Wheaton  was  the  son  of  Joseph  Wheaton 
Esq. — and  was  born  at  Rehoboth,  Mass.  March 
16th  1788.  His  natural  disposition  was  amiable; 
his  behaviour  peaceable,  condescending,  and  kind- 
He  was  uniformly,  even  in  childhood,  sober  min- 
ded ;  and  although  not  pious,  he  was,  nevertheless, 
free  from  the  many  follies  and  vices  peculiarly  in- 
cident to  that  early  period  of  life.  "This  was  pro- 
bably owing  to  religious  instruction,  seasonably 
and  faithfully  imparted ;  which,  before  it  was  the 
means  of  his  conversion,  operated  as  a  strong  mor- 
al restraint.  Until  about  the  age  of  seventeen,  his 
opportunities  of  education  were  confined  within  the 
limits  of  our  common  winter  schools.  At  this  time, 
the  native  energy  of  his  character,  and  his  thirst  for 
knowledge  began  to  open  his  way  to  the  means  of 
obtaining  a  more  finished  education.  By  his  own 
ingenuity  and  perseverance  he  obtained  a  trade,  the 
avails  of  which  were  destined  by  Providence,  to 
prepare  him  for  his  future  usefulness  in  a  profes- 
sion, where  it  may  be  said  of  him,  that  his  feet  were 
shod  with  the  preparation  of  the  gospel  of  peace. — 
He  entered  Brown  University,  a  year  in  advance, 
in  1809.  Here  he  prosecuted  his  studies  with  ar- 
dour, diligence  and  success.     He  was  graduated  in 

*  Mr.  Wheaton's  Salary  was  $600  per  annum;  with  a 
aomiaal  settlement  of  ^600.  — 


September  1812,  one  of  the  best  scholars  in  hi« 
chiss^  among  wlioin  was  Khiisbiiry,  the  able  and 
devoted  missionary  to  the  Indians;  who  was  also 
his  room-mate  and  endeared  friend.  Mr.  Wheaion 
entertained  a  hope  of  reconciliai ion  to  God,  before 
his  entrance  into  Colle<;;e;  but  whether  the  hope 
was  well  or  ill  founded,  he  with  that  self-distrust, 
which  was  always  peculiar  to  him,  abandoned  it. 
Near  the  close  of  his  collegiate  course,  his  mind 
was  refreshed  with  peace  in  believing ;  and  if  ii  w  as 
not  the  time  of  his  conversion,  it  was  evidently  of 
deepened  seriousness,  and  more  unreserved  dedica- 
tion of  himself  to  God.  He  then  united  himself^ 
by  solemn  covenant,  with  the  visible  church." 

"  In  respect  to  the  choice  of  a  profession,  he 
formed  different  desijins  and  expectations  at  differ- 
ent periods  of  his  preparatory  and  collegiate  edu- 
cation. His  first  view  was  to  the  law^ ;  and  for  a 
considerable  time,  his  habits  of  mind  were  forming 
under  the  influence  of  that  expectation.  But  for 
what  particular  reason,  it  is  not  understood,  he  be- 
came afterwards  inclined  to  the  profession  of  medi- 
cine ;  and  attended  the  various  lectures  of  that  de- 
partment, under  the  expectation,  that  he  was  pre- 
paring for  the  business  of  life.  When,  however^ 
his  christian  hope  permitted  him  to  turn  his  atten- 
tion to  the  ministry,  he  abandoned  all  other  pros- 
pects of  life,  and  determined  to  consecrate  all  his 
powers  and  acquisitions  to  the  work  of  preaching 
the  gospel.  His  changes  of  purpose  will  not  be 
imputed,  by  those  who  knew  him,  to  any  instabili- 
ty of  character.  They  have  been  mentioned,  uji- 
4 


£6 

der  the  eonvictioii,  that  they  were,  in  this  case,  and 
have  been  in  others,  jrrovidential^  and  well  calcu- 
lated to  enlarge  the  sphere  of  ministerial  useful- 
ness." 

"  After  leaving  the  University,  Mr.  Wheaton 
was  engaged  as  Preceptor  of  George-street  Acad- 
emy in  Providence ;  but  was  soon  invited  to  a  tu- 
torship in  the  University.  He  was  a  tutor  more 
than  two  years ;  during  which  time,  he  was  not 
merely  gratifying  his  high  relish  for  classical  learn- 
ing ;  but  was  devoting  what  time  his  office  would 
allow  to  the  study  of  Divinity.  Previously  to  his 
resigning  his  office  in  the  College,  he  was  licensed 
to  preach,  and  was  invited  to  supply  the  desk  in 
this  place." 

"  In  his  intercourse  with  his  people,  Mr.  Whea- 
ton's  wisdom  was  evangehcal^  first  pure,  then 
peaceable,  gentle,  and  easy  to  be  entreated.  His 
concihating  deportment,  amiable  temper,  and  dig- 
nified, yet  unaffected  manners  won  the  affections 
of  those  who  were  not  always  pleased  with  his  the- 
ological sentiments;"  which  closely  resembled 
those  of  his  worthy  predecessor,  and  embraced  the 
peculiarities  of  Calvinism  to  which  the  term  Hop- 
kinsian  is  applied  by  way  of  designation.  He  was 
completely  successful  in  uniting  and  harmonizing 
this  people  at  a  time  when  they  were  found  not  a 
little  discordant  in  opinion  and  feeling  ;  and  enjoy- 
ed, in  an  unusual  degree,  their  respect,  confidence, 
and  affection  from  the  commencement  to  the  close 
of  his  ministerial   life. 

"  Mr.  Wheaton  was  a  student  as  well  as  a  pas- 
tor.    What  time  the  more  active  duties  of  his  of- 


5T 

flee  woiilH  ponnif,  ho  wns  \\i\\\  his  hook  and  hw 
pen.  lie  excelled  in  an  intimate  acfjuaintance  with 
the  ehissicks.  Ilis  Hterary  character,  and  eminent 
talents  as  an  instrncter  of  youth,  made  his  house  a 
favorite  resort  of  young  men  fitting  for  College,  or 
perfecting  their  education." 

"  As  a  preacher^  Mr.  Wheaton  was,  what  he 
principally  aimed  to  be,  instriiciivc.  Yet  he  was 
also  an  animated  and  animating  preacher.  His 
whole  sord  appeared  in  his  work. — To  he  eloquent 
was  not  his  object ;  and  yet  he  w  as  occasionally 
eloquent  to  a  liij>h  degree.  Ilis  style  was  worthy 
the  man  w  ho  wrote,  and  of  the  important  subjects 
on  which  it  was  employed.  He  seemed  to  think 
wilh  Addison,  that  good  thoughts  ought  to  be  well 
dressed. — As  it  respects  the  delivery  of  his  dis- 
courses, it  was  natural,"  though  uncommonly  rap- 
id ;  "  and  his  animation,  united  with  the  rich  mate- 
rials of  his  sermons,  made  him  a  highly  acceptable 
speaker.  And  yet  perhaps  it  may  be  said  of  him^ 
as  of  most  preachers  in  this  part  of  our  country, 
that  he  did  not  pay  proportionate  attention  to  the 
delivery  of  his  compositions." 

"His  piety  was  ardent;  and  humility  was  a  dis- 
tinguishing feature  of  it.  His  trials  w  ith  respect 
to  his  own  piety,  though  not  without  example,  were 
peculiarly  severe.  But  his  sun  was  not  always 
overcast ;  he  hoped  in  God  ;  resigned  himself  with 
confidence  to  his  disposal ;  and  often  had  joy  and 
peace  in  beheving." 

"  Mr.  Wheaton' s  health  was  declining  for  near- 
ly three  years  before  his  death.     And  his  disease^'" 


28 

*-which  was  of  the  pulmonary  kind, — ^*' was  obsti- 
nate and  peculiar;   ca^ising  a  frequent  alternation 
of  hope  and  fear,  not  only  in  him,  but  in  his  friends 
also.''     During  several  months  towards  the  close 
of  his  sickness,  he  was  entirely  deprived  of  sight, 
and  exercised  with  great  bodily  pain.     Yet  "he 
was  always  patient,  usually  serene ;  and  sometimes 
evenjoyfjl."     He  left  this  earthly  scene  of  his  la- 
bours and  safTerin^s  on  the  4th  of  February  1825; 
having  nearly  completed  the  37th  year  of  his  age, 
and  little  more  than  commenced  the   11th  of  his 
ministry.     He  was  twice  married ;  and  had  four 
children ;  three  of  whom,  with  his  widow,  remain 
to  feel  the  loss  occasioned  by  his   early   departure. 
He  was  peculiarly  respected  and  beloved  by  his 
people,  who  will  long  retain  him  in  affectionate  re- 
membrance.* 

Before  his  decease,  Mr.  Wheaton  had  the  pleas- 
ure of  seeing  a  work  accomplished,  which  he  had 
long  felt  important  to  the  interests  of  religion 
among  his  people ;  and  to  which  his  influence  and 
efforts  greatly  contributed ; — I  mean  the  erection 
of  a  new  Meeting-House.  The  first  decisive  step, 
towards  the  accomplishment  of  this  object,  was 
taken  November  2d,  1818.  And  on  the  3d  of  De- 
cember, 1823, — one  year  precisely  before  the  close 
of  the  century, — it  was  solemnly  and  joyfully  dedi- 
cated to  the  worship  of  Almighty  God.  Mr. 
Wheaton  delivered  the  Sermon  on  the  interesting 

*  This  biographical  sketch  of  Mr.  Wheaton  is  principal- 
ly taken  from  a  Memoir  of  him  contained  in  the  number  of 
the  Christian  Magazine  for  July  18j25. 


29 

occasion,  whirh  wns  puhlishcd  ;*^  and  which  stands 
as  a  IasUn<>-  monument   of  the  man,  iind   tiic  event, 
at   the  very   close  of  his   earthly   lahours. — The 
IVIeetrnsf-hoiise,   which,   thns  dedicated,  it   is   our 
privile£:e  to  occupy  for  the  service  of  the  Lord,  lias 
cost,   >sith   its  appendaiies,  and  the  necessary  ex- 
penses attending-  its  location,  the  sum  of  S7353,35.t 
The  Church  and  Congregation  of  this  town  have 
continued  for  so  long  a  period,  remarl  ably  united, 
harmonious,    and    peaceable.       Dil^culties    there 
have  been,   it  is  true ;  but  they  have  soon  passed 
away  like  the  morning  cloud,  and  have  been  suc- 
ceeded by  brighter  days.     It  is  presumed  that  few 
towns  can  present  a  parallel  in  this  respect.     And 
yet,  though  the  external  condition  of  the  Society 
has  been  almost  uniformly  prosperous ;  and  though 
an  orthodox,  evangelical,  and  faithful  ministry  ha» 
been  enjoyed  with  little  interruption ;  it  is,  never- 
theless,  a  fact  no   less  lamentable  than  true,  that 
nothing  in  the  form  of  a  genei^al  i^evival  of  religion 
has   ever  been  witnessed  in  this  place.     Such  an 
event,  the  pious  men,  who  here  preached,  prayed, 
and  died ;  with  many  of  their  pious  people,  whose 

*  Mr.  Wbeaton  has  left  in  print  a  work  on  School  Edu- 
cation; together  with  several  Sermons;  one  of  which,  '•  On 
the  Equality  of  Mankind,  and  the  Evils  of  Slavery,'-  is  par- 
ticularly celebrated. 

t  The  Meeting  house,  with  the  Blinds  and  Bell  cost 
$6092,20. — Preparing  the  ground,  and  the  Cellar, — exclu- 
sive of  the  portion  of  land  purchased,  and  of  the  Time- 
Piece,  which  was  presented  by  Nathaniel  Johnson,  Esq. — 
makes  an  addition  of  $1261,15  to  complete  the  whole 
amount. 


39 

graces  are  with  us,  longed  and  prayed  to  see  ;— 
but  they  saw  it  not.  We  hope  the  privilesre,  of 
which  they  were  denied,  is  yet  in  reserve  for  their 
favoured   successors   and   posterity. 

The  largest  number   ever    received    into    this 
Church,   upon   profession,   any   one  year,   is  20 ; 
who   were  added  in  1742. — The  whole  number  of 
Communicants  that  have  belonged  to  it,   from  its 
organization  to  the  close  of  the  century,  is  412;   of 
which  number  136  were  males,   and  276  females ; 
and  333  were  added  by  profession. — The    Church 
has  been  favoured  with  a  succession  of  eight  Dea- 
cons.*— The  whole  number  of  Baptisms,  up  to  the 
year  1825,  is  1355.— This  town  contained  in  1824, 
as  nearly  as  can  be  ascertained,   221  Familes ;   of 
which  23  belong  to  the  West  Parish  in  Med  way  5 
1  to  the  East  Parish ;   and  1  to  the  Congregational 
Society  in  Milford ; — 10  belong  to  the  Society  of 
Baptists;  9  to  that  of  the  Methodists;   and  21  to 
that  of  the  Universalists ;   leaving,  with  the  addi- 
tion of  one  family  from   Medway,  157  families  of 
which  this  Congregation  is  composed. 

The  third  part  of  this  discourse  is  designed  to 
comprise  a  Statistical  view  of  Hoiliston,  with  sucli 
additional  matter  relating  to  the  town  as  is  not  con- 
tained in  the  preceding  parts  of  it. 

From  the  defective  nature  of  the  town  Records 

*  The  names  of  the  Deacons,  and  times  of  their  election 
are  as  follows;  Thomas  Marshall  and  Timothy  Leland, 
Dec.  25th,  1728; — Joseph  Brown  and  James  Russell,  June 
1748;— Aaron  Phipps,  May  2d,  1706;— Jesse  Haven,  May 
1st,  1789;— Esek  Marsh,  June  3d,  1793;— and  Asaph  Lc- 
Tand,  Feb.  27th,  1816. 


31 

Lliirin«  !?K)ine  of  the  first  years  of  its  existence,  it  is 
impossible  to  furnish  a  statement  of  Birtiis,  Mar- 
riages, and  Deaths,  wliich  can  be  rehed  on  as  per- 
fectly accurate.     But  so  far  as  the  materials  would 
allow,  the  account  I  am  about  to  present,  may  be 
depended  upon  as  correct. — 'V'hv  whole  number  of 
persons  born  in  this  town,  during  its  first   centuryj 
is  2181 5   of  whom  1146  were  males,  and  1038  fe- 
males ;   makmg  the  average  number  of  Births  an- 
nually to  be  nearly  22. — The  whole  number  of 
Marriages  is  563 ;    11   being  the  average  number 
for  every  two  years. — The  whole  number  of  Deaths 
is  678 ;  being  somewhat  more  probably  than  half 
the  present  number  of  inhabitants  ;   and  making  an 
average  of  about  7  annually.     Until  the  year  181 1^ 
the  ages  of  those  who  died  were  not  inserted  in  the 
Records.     From  that  time  until  the  close  of  the 
century,  the  number  of  those,  who  died  under  15 
years  of  age,  was  58 ;   of  whom  30  were  males,  and 
2S  females; — between  the  ages  of  15  and  45,  53^ 
of  whom  26  were  males,  and  21  females  ; — between 
the  ages  of  45  and  70,  41 ;  of  whom  19  were  males^ 
and  22  females ; — and  over  70  years  of  age,  43; 
of  whom  26  were  males,  and   17  females.     The 
greatest  age  of  which  we  have  any  account  is  that 
of  a  Mrs.   Winchester,  who  lived  to  number  104 
years. 

The  most  remarkable,  as  w  ell  as  the  most  mourn- 
ful fact,  which  the  history  of  this  town  furnishes,  is 
that  of  the  Great  Sickness^  as  it  is  very  appropri- 
ately called.  This  fatal  sickness  prevailed  between 
the  18th  of  December,  1753,  aiid  the  30th  of  Jan- 


Q2 


uary,  1754.  At  the  time  of  its  appearance  the 
town  contained  a  population  of  about  400. — The 
symptoms,  which  pecuharly  marked  the  disease, 
were  violent  and  piercing  pains  in  the  breast  or 
side ;  a  high  fever  ;  and  exa-eme  diHiculty  of  ex- 
pectoration, which  in  some  cases, — if  not  in  most, 
— resulted  in  strangulation.  Some,  it  is  said,  ap- 
parently in  the  last  stages  of  the  disease,  were  evi- 
dently relieved  by  administering  oil,  who  eventual- 
ly recovered.  No  derangement  of  mind  usually 
accompanied  the  disease. — The  sick  generally  sur- 
vived their  attack  only  from  three  to  six  days.— - 
From  notes  taken,  during  the  prevalence  of  the 
sickness,  by  the  Rev.  Joshua  Prentiss  ;  and  which 
were  found  among  his  papers  after  his  decease,  we 
learn,  that  on  the  31st  of  December,  7  5  and  on 
the  4th  of  January,  10  lay  unburied; — that  during 
the  week,  on  which  the  last  date  occurred,  17  di- 
ed ; — and  that  from  2  to  5  were  buried  in  a  day  for 
many  days  successively.  The  whole  number,  who 
died  of  this  fatal  malady,  is  53  5  more  than  one 
eighth  of  the  population.  Of  this  number  27  were 
heads  of  families — 15  males,  and  12  females; — 12 
were  unmarried  persons  of  adult  age — 8  males  and 
4t  females ; — 7  were  children; — and  7  were  inhabi- 
tants of  other  towns,  all  of  whom  were  males  with 
one  exception. — In  the  fearful  desolations  produced 
by  this  disease,  the  church  of  Christ  was  bereft  of 
15  of  its  members.  Few  families  escaped  ;  and 
four  were  entirely  broken  up  by  the  removal  of 
both  the  husband,  and  the  wiie. — For  more  than  a 
mpnthj  there  were  not  enough  in  health  to  attfin<i 


the  sick,  and  bury  the  dead;  thon<rh  their  whole 
time  was  employed   in  such  services.     Tlie  sick 
suffered,  and  the  dead  hiid  unburied;  notwithstand- 
ing charitable  assistance,  and  personal  attendance 
were  furnished  by  people   in  the  vicinity.     A  most 
remarkable  circumstance  attending  this  sickness  is 
its  being  almost  wholly  confined  to  a  small  town, 
without  the  smallest  apparent  natural  cause  for  its 
existence  at  all ;   especially  for  its  restriction  with- 
in so  narrow  a  compass.     To  those,  however,  who 
are  disposed  devoutly  to  trace  whatever  effects  are 
discernable  in  the  natural  world  back  to  the  Great 
First  Cause  of  all  things  ;   and  to  view  every  event 
as  ordered  and  directed  for  some  wise  and  right- 
eous purpose,  by  his  controuling  hand ;  there  will 
appear  something,  at  least,  remarkable  in  the  facts, 
— of  which  there  is  little  doubt, — that  previous  to 
the  breaking  out  of  this  desolating  sickness,  the 
people  were  violently  engaged  in  fierce  law  conten- 
tions,  which  seem  to  have  originated  in  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  town  upon  the  subject  of  roads  ; — 
that  two  of  the  principal  men  in  town  were  engaged, 
against  each  other,  in  a  law-suit  about  a  most  tri- 
fling matter,*  and  were  the  first  seized  with  the  dis- 
ease, while  on  their  return  from  Court ;  both  of 
whom  fell  its  speedy  victims — one  of  them  before  he 
could  reach  home ;   and  the  other  soon  after  ; — and 
that  immediately  upon  the  removal  of  the  scourge 
with  which  the  people  had  been  most  sorely  visited, 

*  The  subject  of  this  contention,  as  stated  by  Capt.  Sam- 
uel Bullard,  who  recollects  to  have  heard  the  circumstan- 
ces related  by  his  grand-mother,  a  contemporary  with  the 
parties,  was  the  value  of  a  wig.  A  fact,  which  fully  shows, 
that  a  previous  enmity  existed,  which  only  needed  an  op- 
portunity to  exert  itself. 
5 


34 

their  contentions  ceased ;  their  tumults  were  hush- 
ed ;  and  peace  and  concord  prevailed.  Since  that 
afflictive  season,  no  town  has  been  more  noted  pro- 
bably for  the  little  its  inhabitants  have  troubled 
themselves  with  disputes  in  law.  May  the  children 
continue  to  profit  by  the  lesson,  which  the  sorrow- 
ful experience  of  their  fathers  furnishes  them. 

I  have  now  accomplished  the  design  of  this  dis- 
course. And  in  closing  it,  you  will  again  suffer  me 
to  awaken  your  reflections  upon  the  past  by  repea- 
ting the  inquiry  with  which  we  started  ;^ — Your 
Fathers — where  are  they  ?  And  the  Prophets — do 
they  live  forever?  They  have  accomplished^  as  a 
hireling,  their  day ;  and  have  gone  to  the  genera- 
tions of  their  fathers.  All  that  we  know  of  them  is 
obtained  from  their  works,  which  are  fast  following 
them  to  decay,  and  to  oblivion.  And  while  we  en- 
deavour to  rescue  their  works  from  immediate  for- 
getfulness,  and  to  preserve  in  our  minds  some  faint 
remembrance  of  their  authors  ;  it  becomes  us  to 
remember  also,  that  the  soil  we  inhabit ;  the  free- 
dom we  enjoy ;  and  the  social  and  religious  privi- 
leges we  possess  are  the  rich  inheritance  they  have 
bequeathed  to  us.  In  the  quiet  and  full  enjoyment 
of  this  inheritance,  you,  my  respected  friends,  now 
live.  It  remains  for  you  to  say,  by  the  use  you 
make  of  it,  how  greatly  you  value  it ;  and  how 
grateful  to  them  and  to  the  Author  of  all  good,  you 
are  for  its  bestowment.  And  though  I  do,  by  no 
means,  desij^^n  to  flatter,  I  am  hjippy  in  being  able, 
this  day,  to  point  my  audience  to  evidence  too  pal- 
pable to  be  resisted,  that  the  spirit  of  liberty,  indus- 
try, peace,  harmony,  and  improvement,  so  conspic- 


36 

uous  in  the  fathers,  is  no  less  so  in  their  children. 
Half  a  century  since,  and  this  goodly  land  of  highly 
cultivated  farms,  and  large  and  beautiful  dwellings, 
was  comparatively  a  dreary  wilderness  with  some 
few  cultivated  spots ;  and  with  here  and  there  a 
small  and  ill-constructed  tenement  concealed  from 
distant  view  by  the  dense  forest  which  encircled  it. 
A  few  years  since,  and  there  stood,  hard  by,  the 
temple  of  the  Lord  in  such  size,  and  form,  and 
beauty  as  the  infant,  struggling  into  existence,  was 
able  to  rear ;  but  in  the  size,  and  form,  and  beauty 
of  this  second  temple,  in  which  we  worship,  we 
discern  the  wisdom,  strength,  and  energy  of  the 
full  grown  man.  A  few  years  since,  and  our  insti- 
tutions of  a  civil,  moral,  and  intellectual  kind, 
which  we  now  behold  in  complete  and  successful 
operation,  were  just  rising  into  palpable  existence, 
encumbered  with  a  multitude  of  imperfections. — 
The  century,  which,  at  its  commencement,  saw 
this  town  an  infant  and  feeble  settlement ;  sees  it, 
at  its  close,  populous,  wealthy,  and  respectable ; 
and  its  inhabitants  enjoying  in  quietness  and  har- 
mony the  possession  which  their  fathers  purchased 
them,  and  unitedly  pursuing  the  things  which  make 
for  peace,  and  things  whereby  one  may  edify 
another.  May  the  century  which  has  opened  upon 
you  so  favourably, — in  the  beginning  of  w  hich  you 
have  been  unitedly  engaged  in  the  erection  of  a 
commodious  building*  for  the  transaction  of  your 
publick  business,  and  in  the  promotion  of  the  gen- 
eral interests  of  your  town, — see  you,  through  sub- 
sequent generations  a  united,  holy,  and  happy  peo- 
ple, whose  God  is  the  Lord  ! 
'^'  A  Town-House  was  built  in  18^5. 


36 

But  in  the  midst  of  the  prosperity  which  now  at- 
tends you,  and  of  the  still  brightening  prospects 
before  you,  forget  not  that  you  are  mortal.  One 
generation  passeth  away,  and  another  generation 
cometh.  When  the  present  century  shall  have 
completed  its  revolution,  other  feet  will  tread  the 
soil  we  now  cultivate ;  other  people  will  stand  in 
the  places  we  now  occupy  ;  and  other  voices  will 
echo  and  re-echo  through  the  vales,  and  the  hills 
which  have  echoed  and  re-echoed  ours.  Where — 
oh !  where  shall  we  then  be  ?  With  the  nations 
sleeping  under  ground ;  waiting  the  last  trump  to 
wake  our  slumbers,  and  call  us  to  the  bar  of  God ; 
where  every  one  shall  give  account  of  himself,  and 
receive  according  to  that  he  hath  done.  And  while 
we  sleep  with  our  fathers,  the  monumental  marble 
may  stand  at  our  grave's  head  to  tell  to  future  gen- 
erations that  we  have  lived ;  but  it  is  only  the  mon- 
ument which  our  works  shall  erect,  that  shall  assure 
posterity  that  we  have  lived  and  acted  loell.  If 
therefore,  we  would  leave  behind  us  a  blessed  mem- 
ory, we  must  live  honestly,  soberly,  and  godly. 
And  if,  moreover,  we  would  leave  behind  us  a 
virtuous  and  pious  posterity,  that  shall  honour 
their  birth,  and  perpetuate  the  virtues  of  their  par- 
ents, we  must  be  virtuous  and  pious  ourselves. 
And  when  we,  and  our  ancestors,  and  our  descen- 
dants shall  together  stand  before  God,  may  ive  be 
found  prepared  to  join  the  full  chorus  of  saints  and 
angels  in  praise  to  Hiin  that  sitteth  upon  the  throne, 
and  to  the  Lamb  forever  and  ever.  Amen  and 
Amen. 


